round to t'other side, and see if she's there, Master Derriman.'

'I want to take her out to see the King,' said Festus.

Anne had started at the sound of the voice. No opportunity could have
been better for carrying out her new convictions on the disposal of her
hand. But in her mortal dislike of Festus, Anne forgot her principles,
and her idea of keeping herself above the Lovedays. Tossing on her hat
and blowing out the candle, she slipped out at the back door, and hastily
followed in the direction that her mother and the rest had taken. She
overtook them as they were beginning to climb the hill.

'What! you have altered your mind after all?' said the widow. 'How came
you to do that, my dear?'

'I thought I might as well come,' said Anne.

'To be sure you did,' said the miller heartily. 'A good deal better than
biding at home there.'

John said nothing, though she could almost see through the gloom how glad
he was that she had altered her mind. When they reached the ridge over
which the highway stretched they found many of their neighbours who had
got there before them idling on the grass border between the roadway and
the hedge, enjoying a sort of midnight picnic, which it was easy to do,
the air being still and dry. Some carriages were also standing near,
though most people of the district who possessed four wheels, or even
two, had driven into the town to await the King there. From this height
could be seen in the distance the position of the watering-place, an
additional number of lanterns, lamps, and candles having been lighted to-
night by the loyal burghers to grace the royal entry, if it should occur
before dawn.

Mrs. Garland touched Anne's elbow several times as they walked, and the
young woman at last understood that this was meant as a hint to her to
take the trumpet-major's arm, which its owner was rather suggesting than
offering to her. Anne wondered what infatuation was possessing her
mother, declined to take the arm, and contrived to get in front with the
miller, who mostly kept in the van to guide the others' footsteps. The
trumpet-major was left with Mrs. Garland, and Anne's encouraging pursuit
of them induced him to say a few words to the former.

'By your leave, ma'am, I'll speak to you on something that concerns my
mind very much indeed?'

'Certainly.'

'It is my wish to be allowed to pay my addresses to your daughter.'

'I thought you meant that,' said Mrs. Garland simply